GlobalGiving.org: Immunization for Tribal Children and Young Mothers

You, Seva Mandir and Happy 2012

Deepti Ameta — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:09:14 GMT

Wish you a very Happy New Year 2012!

Dear Friend,

I very much hope that you are enjoying the holiday season. From all of us here at Seva Mandir, a very Happy and Prosperous New Year to you. May 2012 brings peace and success to you and to your family. We thank you for your kindness that you gift us always. With this letter, we love to share some key highlights of year 2011.

For Seva Mandir, the year 2011 has been a year of changes and success. Ms. Neelima Khetan stepped down after 12 years of her excellent leadership (total 25 years of association with Seva Mandir) in March. Ms. Priyanka Singh became our new Chief Executive in April 2011. Seva Mandir is ready to see many more years of its successful engagement with rural communities in Southern Rajasthan in her leadership.

In October, Seva Mandir became the implementing agency for the MNREGA projects for 32 sites in rural Udaipur. It is a significant achievement as well as an indicator of the faith of the 74 Panchayats in Seva Mandir’s work. These Panchayats have endorsed us to be their implementing agency for MNREGA. Of these 32 sites that were sanctioned, the work has begun on the 22 sites. Most of these sites of pastureland development and currently the building of boundary wall is going on.

In 2011, Seva Mandir has been included in two working (sub) groups – {i) Child Survival & Development and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and ii) Girl Child} constituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to review the existing priorities, policies, strategies, programs and their implementation for fulfilling the rights of children to survival, development (including early childhood care, early learning, elementary education). Also, to highlight emerging issues and recommendations, resources allocation and utilization for Twelfth Five Year Plan of Government of India.

Several of Seva Mandir's programs have seen a maturing in the last years. For example, in the villages where Seva Mandir organized regular immunization camps, the complete immunization of children is 60%, while in comparison villages it is only 35%.

Similarly, the work on Natural Resources is yielding a lot of benefits to the poor. Every year grass worth Rs. 52 lacs (5.2 million rupees) is being harvested from the common lands developed under this program.

In April 2011, Champa Devi from Vassela village was awarded the "Woman Exemplar Award 2011". It is another reason to look back and feel joyous to see that a community member of Seva Mandir was being recognized by rest of the society for her selfless services.

We are privileged to experience exciting stories of women like Champa Devi. A big credit goes to friends like you for this. Your support has always been the source of our emotional strength. It helps us keep going with our work. It is gratifying that with your support we have been able to create spaces where ordinary people can exercise truth force to bring about social and political transformation.

We hope you will continue to be with us in future too. Your faith and untiring support is very critical to us at the moment. Especially, when national and international scenario is changing rapidly for civil societies and the definitions of ‘development’ are being re-explored.

We believe that the full and deep impact of Seva Mandir's work lies not so much in the tangible development activities that it promotes, but more in bringing the poor and rich together and enabling them to work for the commons of building more just and oppression free communities.

We look forward to your continuing contribution in the year 2012 too. Wish you a very bright and successful New Year.

With warm regards,

Deepti

You are reaching 120 kms to get children immunized

Deepti Ameta — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:30:11 GMT

Gavri with her son, Atri Bai and some onlookers

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

I was reading the New York Times today - the artcile "As New Graduates Return to Nest, Economy Also Feels the Pain" and I also read the news on the Hindustan Times "Expect relief from inflation". It is a tough time. Everywhere in the world there is unrest. The divide between the rich and poor is growing bigger. There are many interpretations and theories explaining and forecasting the future as ever. Amidst all these news and views on politics, corruption, economy downturn etc, I came across a brief story which my colleagues have written, which I also want to share with you. The story is simple but has an interesting feel of 'hope'. Somewhere very far in Udaipur (in South Rajasthan), the immunization camps that you support are helping many children and women's lives.

Amidst all of this hustle and bustle and rough time, your continuing support and faith in this program endows thousands of women and children with blessings. We are deeply grateful to you for your help. I really hope you will enjoy reading this story. Please feel free to write to me for any queries.

Thanks again and with warm regards,

Deepti

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Kotra Block is located at a distance of 120kms from the city of Udaipur and is one of the remotest regions in Seva Mandir’s working areas. It is completely a tribal belt with a number of villages bordering the state of Gujarat. The region sees a lot of migration to Gujarat for livelihood and also to access healthcare as there is a dearth of such facilities in the area.

Seva Mandir conducts monthly immunization camps reaching out to 33 hamlets in Kotra block. The villages chosen are those which are remote and are not covered by the government health workers. The unique features of the camps are regularity of the camps monitored through use of date & time stamped photographs of the Immunization teams at the camp sites and a non-cash incentive package to encourage demand for immunization. The camps are conducted on a fixed date every month in a centrally located place in a hamlet easily accessible to majority of the households. The camps provide complete vaccination for children aged 0-1 year, booster doses for children above one year age and ante-natal checkups for pregnant women. In addition, the camps also provide treatment & referral for childhood illnesses.

In each village hamlet, the trained Traditional Birth Attendant is responsible informing the villagers about the immunization days and gathering the children and pregnant women at the camp site on immunization day. The Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) goes around the village visiting each household to inform them about the forthcoming camp and also motivate them for immunization and antenatal care.

Immunization Camp at Sarli Naal

Sarli Naal, a village hamlet in Kotra block has its immunization camp on 21^st of every month.

Atri Bai, the TBA of Sarli Naal has been working with Seva Mandir for 8 years. She narrated that before this camp, the closest one was a government run camp which was 3 kms away from this hamlet, making it difficult for the people to get their children immunized. The pregnant women too had to walk a long distance for their antenatal check ups. As a result, many of the women and children used to remain from getting immunized. Seva Mandir’s camp started in the year 2007, has come as a boon for the residents of the village as they could now get the services within a easy reach.

In the month of October 2011, the camp at Sarli Naal had 8 women who had come for antenatal checkups and seven children who had come for getting their vaccines.

Gavri, a 24 years old young mother had come to the camp for getting her seven month old son’s third dose of DPT vaccine. She had started coming to the camp when she was pregnant and had received both her tetanus shots and complete ante-natal checkups. Gavri agrees that the immunization is essential for both the mother and the child and is determined to take vaccination for her future pregnancies also.

You supported 1,449 expecting mothers for ante natal check up

Deepti Ameta — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:09:17 GMT

mother with her child at the immunization camp

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

Hope you are well. Thank you for supporting immunization of children of our region.

The monsoon has been active in Rajasthan. It has rained a little but more rains will be great. We still have another month of monsoon. Hopefully it will be a great monsoon year. The lakes in the city, however, are not full yet. The city is all green and beautiful at the moment.

I am sharing the annual report of Immunization Program that you are supporting. The report accounts detailed information on the total number of children immunized in 2010-2011, expecting mothers received tetanus shots and various other activities carried out with your support.

Following is a brief fact sheet for your quick reference –

1. A total 790 camps were conducted.

2. 1,236 children got registered to receive immunization.

3. 1,123 expecting mothers received tetanus shots.

4. 1,449 expecting mothers received ante natal care at these camps

5. Please see the enclosed report for more details.

I hope you will enjoy reading all the progress your support has afforded to these children and expecting mothers.

Many thanks to all of you for your continuing support to this program. Two stories of women who were benefitted with your support are also enclosed in the report.

We would be very happy to hear from you. Thank you once again for your generous support.

We will keep you updated about the progress of this program as well as about the monsoon.

With warm regards,

Deepti

Links:

Attachments:

Annual Report Immunization 2010-2011 (DOC)

You are helping villagers in India with the business plan

Deepti Ameta — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:59:09 GMT

Business planning at community level

Dear friends,

Hope you are well. Thank you for your continuing support. We are very grateful to you donations and inputs .

Every time with our letter to you, we wish to acquaint you with Seva Mandir a bit more. In this letter, you will get to know about the process of our business planning.

Seva Mandir focuses on communities rather than on individual/s. The belief is that in order to bring about the durable changes in the society; the constructive work involving all the community members is important because social problems are complex. It therefore, takes longer but the outcomes are more sustainable and long lived. Therefore, Seva Mandir has a three pronged strategy –

1) To create and strengthen institutions for development (at the village, organization and society levels)

2) To enhance people’s capabilities for self-development (both at individual and community level); and

3) To create sustainable improvements in the livelihoods base.

Our bottom-up approach allows creating stakes for every section of society to participate in their own development. We very much hope that you will enjoy knowing about our business planning phase that we are going through right now.

It has been a very hot summer here in Rajasthan this year. We are now all prepared to welcome the monsoon which should be here in the next week and half. Gradually it is getting humid day by day and we are trying not to let the rising temperatures effect us and are currently in the midst of the exciting organization wide planning process to develop our 7^th Comprehensive Plan.

The Comprehensive Plan outlines the strategic direction and action-plans for Seva Mandir over the next three-year plan period (2012-2015).

Seva Mandir has been preparing Comprehensive Plans since 1990 as a way to systematically review and evolve its near-term strategic priorities across all programmatic areas. The process of putting together the Comprehensive Plan also serves as an opportunity for Seva Mandir to reflect upon the work we have done, examine the environment we work in and evolve our strategies accordingly, within the context of past lessons learnt and the overall long-term vision of the organization.

The process for creating the 7^th Comprehensive Plan began in late 2010 and includes all levels of Seva Mandir’s tiers viz. - from the villages where we work all the way up to the Chief Executive Officer. The Comprehensive Plan process is consistent with Seva Mandir’s bottom-up approach, with the kick-off meetings taking place at the village level with the Chief Executive present. After these initial meetings, the staff members at the zone and block offices had an opportunity to share their thoughts, observations and information. Using the information gathered from the field, the Programs devised their strategies for the upcoming years. These were presented to the organization as a whole, where debate, discussion, criticism and suggestions took place.

We are now headed into the final stages of this exciting process. Programs are incorporating the comments and suggestions into their reports, and putting the final touches in to the operating frameworks. This is an exciting time at Seva Mandir and we are really looking forward to the next few years when we can put these strategies into effect and watch the change they make.

The integrated approach allows all our partners, friends, donors and well wishers to contribute to the holistic development of our communities. Any project/program that you support for Seva Mandir is a part of this comprehensive plan. Thank you so much for regularly supporting our cause and making a difference.

We will soon be providing you with an annual report of our programs you are supporting on Global Giving. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

With warm regards,

You can visit our vaccination camp with North

Deepti Ameta — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:28:36 GMT

The nurse giving shots at the camp

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

I have three things to say before we talk about the project you are supporting.

One - we recently participated in a fund raising event on Global Giving UK. The challenge Top 10 wins challenge (1st to 14th March) required the participant projects to raise at least of £ 500 with minimum of 25 donors. Seva Mandir participated with its project “Improving Food Security for Tribal Farmers in India”. This project helps 5000 poor, marginalized farmers in rural Udaipur to have better crops and thus earn more money/food. This is done through a variety of programs including – seed bank program, using organic manure prepared with the help of earth worms (vermin-composting), growing cash crops like vegetables (preparing nurseries) for self sustenance and income generation. You would be very happy to note that this project raised £705 from 31 donors in the Top 10 Wins Challenge and therefore it won a bonus prize of £300. It is a perfect gift on this Holi for our farmers.

Secondly, on the 19th and 20th March we celebrated our festival Holi (festival of colors in India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi). The festival is also a symbol of celebrating the harvest of winter crop in our region. This festival signifies the end of our winters and beginning of summer. March is also our financial year end and therefore it is wonderful to end our year with lots of support from people like you and having a good harvest at this Holi. And

Finally, this year, at this point of time, Seva Mandir is going through some change. Our ex Chief Executive Ms. Neelima Khetan has stepped down on March 31st. She has spent 25 years with Seva Mandir and the last twelve years as the Chief Executive. The organization excelled during her time and with her leadership marked a number of achievements. Though she has left us due to our constitutional norms, we are very happy to have her as our Trustee on Seva Mandir Board. Her continuing association with Seva Mandir is very assuring for all of us.

Ms. Priyanka Singh has taken over as Chief Executive of Seva Mandir from April 2011. She has spent over thirteen years with Seva Mandir heading Education and Health program and leading Badgaon Block (a geographical unit for our work). She has a post graduate degree in rural development from the same institute as Ms. Khetan did. She is very capable and a great person to work with. With her deep understanding of issues in rural development and support from all our friends like you, we are very much looking forward to seeing Seva Mandir keep doing its good work in the next years to come. At this point of time, we all look for your continuous support and faith for many more years of working together.

The immunization project that you are supporting is going very well. Two stories from the filed are give below my letter. Also a visit note written by North (volunteer at Seva Mandir) is enclosed for your reference. Though a small section from her notes has been pulled out and included in this cover note for your reference –

“The Seva Mandir Immunization camps aim to increase immunization rate in the Udaipur area. They are held monthly across the blocks to make immunizations accessible for local people. The first time that I went to the field was about two weeks after I started volunteering at Seva Mandir. I woke up at the crack of dawn to eat breakfast and get to work in order to catch the jeep to the village of Keli in the Girwa block. I was going just as an observer, so that I would feel comfortable traveling alone to the field later in my work in the Health Office. It was a beautiful, cool, sunny morning in Udaipur, as most morning are in October. The jeep ride was through gorgeous hills. I spent some of it learning about the camps from Devrani, the Health-in-Charge of Girwa block, and the rest of the time napping against the window.

The village of Keli, Girwa Block

We had arrived in the village of Keli when the paved road ended in the middle of a grassy valley between rolling hills. It was quiet and pretty deserted. There were a bunch of cows and a few people in the distance, and birds singing in the gentle breeze. We walked up a gentle hill to a small one-room building with a patio were we met Neelam, the nurse, and Govind the para-health worker, who were sitting inside on carpets on the floor. Govind pulled out a hefty medical bag and Devrani and I went through a checklist of all the things that were supposed to be available for the immunization camp. Everything was in order. The village’s Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) arrived with about ten women and their babies. There was also one very tiny and very pregnant lady. Neelam and Govind went through the babies one by one, checking their immunization cards and entries in the records from previous camps in order to give the babies the immunizations that they needed.” You can read the rest of the note in enclosed file.

Immunization is an ongoing program. We are very grateful to you for your regular support. We hope that you will be able to visit/write to encourage our new team and leadership.

Happy Holi to you and your family from all of us here.

With regards,

Deepti

deepti@sevamandir.org

The successor to ex Chief Executive

Attachments:

North's visit note and two stories from the field (DOC)

Happy 2011 from Durga Kumari and all of us here

Deepti Ameta — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 06:37:55 GMT

Durga Kumari sends you her greetings

Wishing you a very happy, prosperous and wonderful 2011. Thank you friends for extending peace, love and support to all of us in 2010. We look forward to another great year with you. Year by year, our association is getting stronger. Thank you very much for adding happiness to our lives.

A small drawing made by Durga Kumari is presented as a token of our wishes to you.

Have an awesome year ahead.

Warm regards,

Deepti

Links:

December Newsletter 2010

You've helped 60% children receive immunization

Deepti Ameta — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:01:14 GMT

Ante Natal Checkup - an expecting mother

Dear Friends,

Happy Holiday Season!

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season. This year the winter started a little later here but it is pleasantly cold right now. We hope it is also nice weather where you are.

Thank you for supporting the immunization for hundreds of children and women in our villages. Please find enclosed a half yearly report on Immunization Program for the period of April to September 2010.

The immunization program of Seva Mandir was posted on Global Giving on November 2007 and since then it has received incredible support from all of you.

During the reporting period (April to September 2010), a total of 1173 children got registered for the immunization. In the last six months, out of the targeted 408 camps, 399 camps were held. Apart from the routine vaccination, 559 children were given treatment for diseases such as fever, cough, cold, measles, eye or ear infection diarrhea and skin infection in the immunization camps. A total of 579 women received one shot of tetanus toxoid and 386 women received both the shots of tetanus toxoid.

Please have a look at the report enclosed. The report also includes the data for the Midline survey and compares it with the baseline survey. These kinds of data analysis are very important as they help us measure the impact of the program as well as decide the areas that need more attention.

We are excited to share the progress of this program you are supporting. Thank you for being an incredible partner to us. It is our pleasure to share the growth with you at the time of holiday season. Please consider donating again to this program at this festivity and also tell about it to your friends.

Thank you once again from all of us here. Happy Holiday Season once again.

With warm regards,

Deepti

Links:

Seva Mandir Annual Report

Attachments:

Six months progress report 2010 (DOC)

You have added more happiness during this festivity

Deepti Ameta — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:38:06 GMT

Immunization Camp in Digawara Khurd, Kotra block

Dear Friends,

The monsoon has turned out quite good this year. One of the most popular lakes in Udaipur city – Fatehsagar has got filled up fully today with the rain water. It is a double bonus to all of us here with the Eid festival being celebrated in the city.

In villages too some of the streams are flowing and everyone is happy with the monsoon. As indicated above, with monsoon many festivals are being celebrated in our country including Lord Krishna’s birthday (Janmashtami), Ramadan, Eid, Lord Ganesha’s birthday, Diwali (celebrated at the harvest time) and so on. Most of our festivals occur during monsoon and the festivity will last until winters (December to February). All in all, it is a happy time.

In addition to the festivity and a good monsoon, your support to rural children in Udaipur is another reason for us to be happy. So thank you very much for adding to our overall happiness.

With this letter, we would like to share with you a couple of stories written by one of our long-term volunteers from the US - Dodie about the work you are supporting. Below my letter you can find the two stories….

It would be very encouraging if you could provide us with your comments on our feedback reports that we post on Global Giving in addition to your continuing support.

Many many thanks once again for your support and help. We look forward to your continuing support to our rural children's immunization in the coming months too.

We will keep you posted on our progress.

With warm regards,

Deepti

---------------------------------- July 2, 2010, Immunization Camp in village Digawara Khurd, Kotra Block

Today, Sampa Bai’s 9-month-old son, Savi, has just finished his final immunization, the measles shot. It is his fifth visit to the Seva Mandir immunization camp, held on the second day of each month on the grounds of the primary school in his village, Digawara Khurd, in Kotra Block. He has now received his full course of immunization and is vaccinated against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus, measles and polio. This camp is very close to Sampa’s home, so she and her children are able to walk there easily.

Sampa Bai went to the immunization camp during her pregnancy with Savi to receive her tetanus vaccinations. She has five other children, all of whom have been fully immunized. Since Savi has finished his full round of shots, Sampa Bai will be given a set of cooking utensils today.

Sampa Bai initially learned about the immunization camp from Dhanki Bai, the Seva Mandir-trained traditional birth attendant in her village. After Dhanki Bai performed her last delivery, in Sampa Bai’s home, she encouraged her to take her newborn baby for his vaccinations. Sampa says that she keeps bringing her children to the camp because she knows that the shots will prevent them from getting sick. -----------------------------------------

July 17, 2010

Daku Bai came to the Seva Mandir immunization camp, held in the early childhood education center in her village, for the first time. She is a couple of months pregnant with her first child and came to receive her tetanus vaccination and an antenatal care checkup. After receiving her vaccination, she had her weight checked, her hemoglobin level tested, and her blood pressure taken. As she was found to be anemic, with a hemoglobin level of only 9, she was counseled by the nurse to eat dark green vegetables and eggs, and to take iron-folic supplements from the local government health center in order to increase her hemoglobin level and decrease her risk of obstetric complications. She will return to the camp next month for another antenatal care checkup.

Sampa Bai with her 9-month old son, Savi

3743 children were immunized -our journey with you

Deepti Ameta — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:49:14 GMT

two drops of polio vaccine

Dear Friends,

It gives me immense pleasure to write this letter to you. The immunization program of Seva Mandir was posted on Global Giving on November 2007 and since then it has received incredible support from all of you. A total of 3743 children and 3163 expecting mothers have been immunized in past three years with the support received from you and other friends. (Please see the enclosed report for more details).

Very big thanks to all of you for helping rural tribal children and their expecting mothers.

Seva Mandir’s model of immunization makes sure that expecting mothers and young infants/children can come to the immunization camp on a fixed date and time at a location in the village which is feasible to all. We hold 68 mobile camps every month at 68 locations. The children and mothers get enrolled for immunization and are provided with an immunization card. The village birth attendants (supported and trained by Seva Mandir) notify the mothers about the immunization camp a day prior and remind them to go for the shots. The birth attendant also spreads awareness about the significance of immunization, since she is from the village and helps women with deliveries; she has good connections with all the mothers.

The mothers receive one kilo of Pulse upon their child receiving each shot. The pulse is a good source of protein for the good health of children and for lactating mothers. In addition, it also provides the mother (attending the immunization camp) an incentive of having missed a significant part of her work-day. When a child completes the entire course of vaccination (which means receiving shots for Tuberculosis, Pertusis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Measles) the mother is given with a dinner set (a plate, a spoon, a bowl and a cup). The mother is required to bring the immunization card every time the child/she receives a shot. The expecting mothers receive two shots for tetanus.

As we went along with these camps we realized that a lot of times mothers and children experience various illnesses and given that during the immunization camps, they could access basic health services, we added facilities of providing some treatment and referrals for childhood illnesses. Therefore the team of immunization received trainings and now they treat common, but often deadly, diseases including diarrhea, pneumonia, bronchitis, scabies, malnutrition, and ear and eye infections.

Our association with you, all these years, we have been able to raise a total of $ 51,611 for immunization program to date. A detailed report about how the model evolved and what impact it is making – is presented in the enclosed report. Please do have a look and let us know what you think.

Many thanks for your continuing support. Immunization is an ongoing program and we have integrated various significant aspects in our model to improve the overall impact. It would have not been possible for us to do if you were not with us. We hope to receive your regular support for this program and very much wish to have you with us someday here to show you the program you are supporting.

Thank you once again from all of us here. We look forward to working with you in the years to come. Please do write to us if you have any queries.

With warm regards,

Deepti

A brief story is give below -

Jaruli devi stays in the remote Kaucha village of Kotra block. Her village is very far from the district health center and the local health facilities have much higher than normal rates of worker absenteeism, making access to health care very challenging. Jaruli was in her third pregnancy. In her prior pregnancies, she never got TT immunization, as the government immunization services were not regular in the village. Both the two deliveries were institutional deliveries, but the babies did not survive. During her third pregnancy, she got her antenatal check ups and both the TT shots as Seva Mandir had started an immunization camp in her village. The GNM (General Nurse Midwife) counseled her on nutrition and care during pregnancy, and also encouraged her to take iron folic acid (IFA) tablets, as she was anemic. The GNM continued to check up on her health each month when she visited the village for camp. Jaruli had a safe delivery and, this time, her child survived.

(The report enclosed is compiled by Doddie from the US)

Attachments:

Immunization Progress Report 2007-2010 (DOC)

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you

Ms. Deepti Ameta — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:59:44 GMT

December 7, 2009

Dear Friend,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

Many thanks to all of you for responding to our call of support during ‘Give More and Get More’ Challenge. We did quite well in the challenge and you would be happy to note that we stood third with receiving over $35,000 across various projects.

The funds are always helpful in continuing our work but that we can write to this community of supporters and rally support is very morale boosting. Thank you for your trust in us. We are truly grateful.

With best regards for the Holiday Season,

Sincerely,

Deepti

Ear infection - cured

Ms. Deepti Ameta — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:04:05 GMT

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

Many thanks for all your support. It is indeed very encouraging to have friends like you. A very big thank you once again from all of us here.

My colleagues in Health Program want to share with you a story of a little child who was suffering from ear infection. The nurse in our immunization camp helped this little child. The story is very inspirational as it also accounts the efforts put in by other people to make sure that the child's condition improves.

This all has become possible because of support from people like you. Thank you for helping these children and bringing health to their lives.

With warm regards,

Deepti

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Raju, 4 yrs, is a resident of kadiya nala in village Demat (Kherwara block). He was suffering from ear infection since few days. His ear was discharging pus and it was accompanied with severe pain. His family members ignored his illness for some time until his mother brought him to an immunization camp conducted by Seva Mandir in Demat village. The camps also include treatment of childhood illnesses by GNMs (the nurse) apart from immunization. On examining Raju’s condition, the GNM advised his mother to consult a doctor and referred Raju to M.B. Hospital/Kherwara CHC (community health center). GNM convinced Raju’s mother for further treatment but she was reluctant to consult a Doctor. To stop the infection from getting worse, the GNM gave Gentamycin drops to Raju’s mother and advised her to use them regularly for Raju. Raju’s condition improved with continued use of the medication and his pus discharge stopped after a couple of days. His condition was monitored by local Balwadi Sanchalika (teacher at preschool) who ensured patient compliance. He was also followed up by the Health Incharge from Kherwara block who reported that Raju had completely recovered within a month’s time. Thats how Seva Mandir’s intervention prevented Raju’s condition from getting worse and cured his infection.

Matching grant opportunity – Please support Seva Mandir

Poonam — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:27:10 GMT

It’s the season for Thanks and Giving…and we hope very much that you will continue your support to Seva Mandir.

We wanted to let you know about an exciting opportunity that we are participating in through our partners, Global Giving. A donation made to any of our projects, on Global Giving between November 10 and December 1, will be matched.

Total donations up to $2,500 will be matched at 30%. Donations in the range $2,501 - $7,500 will be matched at 40%. Donations above $7501 will be matched at 50%. However, please note that only donation amounts below $500 will be eligible for matching – any donation above $ 500 will come to us, and make us more eligible for bonus awards but without the matching amount. SO GIVE MORE – GET MORE!

And if we raise the most money or get the most donations, we are eligible for bonus awards. First place for both categories will each receive $5,000, second place in each will receive $3,000 and third place in both categories will each receive $1,000.

Seva Mandir’s page at Global Giving lists 7 projects. Please see http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/content/search.html?q=seva+mandir

Matching funds are limited, so we request you to act as quickly as possible. You can give and also persuade friends and family to give. Minimum donation is $10 and donations are tax-deductible!

Would you consider giving and also sharing this email with others?

Thank you for anything that you are able to do to support Seva Mandir.

With Greetings for the season,

World Bank- Development Marketplace

Ms. Deepti Ameta — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:21:54 GMT

August 13, 2009

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continuing support to our programs. I am writing to share with you a bit of news.

Seva Mandir has recently won a Development Marketplace Grant Competition, organized by the Word Bank. The competition was exclusively for grassroots initiatives in South Asia to address the problem of undernutrition.

The Seva Mandir's project on 'Addressing Iron Deficiency Anemia in Rural Rajasthan through Iron Fortification of Flour at Village Level' was one of the 21 projects that won the competition in Development Marketplace.

We are all very excited at this achievement. If you have any queries on this project then please do write to me.

We are very happy to share this news with you. Thank you for all your support and contributions. We really appreciate it.

With warm regards,

Deepti deepti@sevamandir.org

I have seen kids dying of Tuberculosis Meningitis...

Ms. Deepti Ameta — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:09:00 GMT

July 7, 2009

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir, India!

The monsoon has been delayed here. Farmers have made their fields and are waiting for the rains. People grow maize during rains. Also they grow some vegetables in their farms as the water is plenty during monsoon; but only if it rains. Past two years have not been very good in terms of rains. So this year we need the rains badly.

Recently, I had seen two young kids (around 1 and half years old) in the city hospital. Both were suffering from Tuberculous Meningitis. Tuberculous meningitis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the meninges—the system of membranes which envelops the central nervous system. It is the most common form of CNS tuberculosis.

Both kids were from village and were born at home. They didn’t receive the BCG shot, which is given at birth in most cases or can be given until the infant is a month and half old to prevent cerebral tuberculosis.

One kid became blind because of the disease and was struggling with high fever. The other kid was severely malnourished and his brain was partly damaged; it is not known what imparity he had developed. Both kids were not able to feed on their own. I spoke to their care-givers and they both reported of not being aware of the effect of the vaccines. One of them also said “since the place where the Government vaccination does take place, is quite far for me to walk to and also because I have never went out that far on my own”.

A couple of days after my talk to her, I heard that one of the kids died. I was very sad. The vaccination is free from the Government but has a poor reach to many places.

Seva Mandir run immunization camps take place within the village and at a central location where women can walk to, easily holding their children in their arms. Also, the camp takes place at a fix time and date each month.

The birth attendant (traditional birth attendant in the village supported and trained by Seva Madnir) reminds everyone about the camp a day prior. She also explains the community about the immunization and its benefits.

The vaccination is so important. It can save little children from six deadly diseases including Tuberculous Meningitis. These diseases are preventable.

I would like to thank you from all of us here at Seva Mandir, for being there for us in this important mission. Together we are reaching out to many more kids and saving their lives.

Thank you once again. Please do let me know if you have any comments on this feedback or questions.

With warm regards,

Deepti deepti@sevamandir.org

America is married now

Ms. Deepti Ameta — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:16:05 GMT

May 19, 2009

Dear friends,

First of all, thank you for supporting us ever!

I have some quick news to share. In April end (22nd and 23rd) Margaret and John from Global Giving visited Seva Mandir Projects. We took them around and showed them our work in four villages. We exchanged a lot of ideas and learnt a lot about each other.

During their time here we visited our Pre School Center, Rural School, Immunization Camp, Dal Mill Project (Profit for poor), Village Library and Pastureland Development. They both found these programs very interesting but our meeting with one of the Fellows (Fellowship Project) – Jawan Singh in Barawa village was a special highlight for all of us.

We had lunch with Jawan Singh. It was a very hot day but we all were very happy to be able to wash our feet by a dug-well which still has lots of water. The water in this well is a result of our soil and water conservation work in this village. Margaret and John were very impressed to see our efforts and the strong leadership that has emerged over the years. Jawan Singh is a one such leaders. He is currently a Vikas Mitra Fellow (Fellowship Program). He took us around and showed all the activities that took place over the years. He also explained the caste struggle of his village to Margaret and John.

There were two more striking episodes occurred.

One is – when we visited the village library in Medi village – we met the teacher – Ram Lal who runs the library. He told us that he has 6 kids whose names are after countries like – America, Japan, India, and England etc. We were amused to note that ‘America is married now’.

Another incident – when we were interacting with children in our Rural School in Ushan village, the villagers came to meet the guests. The villagers asked several questions to John and Margaret including – what crops do they grow in America, if they also have a hilly terrain, if the rains are frequent and adequate in their country, what is the mean age of marriage in America etc.

Then, an old man asked if they knew – where the Sun goes in the night and that why sometimes the moon is full and sometimes not???

The people in villages were so happy to have guests. But they were so happy to be able to interact with them. Their innocent questions indicate that they have a desire to learn things and that, they are confident to ask questions.

John and Margaret answered to all these questions very patiently and they both appreciated the fact that they were able to interact with villagers other than development issues.

A very big thank you Margaret and John – it was very nice meeting you and learning all the innovating ways of raising funds, you are trying. We all are very happy meeting you and we appreciate all your support and help that you and your entire team provide us time to time.

I am also taking the opportunity to thank all our friends who have been supporting us through Global Giving. The appreciation we received from Margaret and John for our work is also a result of support from people like you. Thank you once again for all your support.

Do let us know if you like this feedback.

Thank you,

With warm regards,

Deepti

Know more about our Nurse

Ms Deepti Ameta — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:07:05 GMT

April 18, 2009

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir, India!

Many thanks for your continuing support. There are a total of 66 camps running and this program continues to save several children and women. This has been possible because of support from people like you. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.

This month, I am pleased to share a story of one of our GNMs (General Nurse Midwife). The GNM and the assistant as a team deliver the services of immunization in villages. One of our volunteers Ginny who works in Health program visited some immunization camps and spoke to immunization team.

The following story is written by Ginny as she was very impressed with the work these GNMs are doing. We hope that you will enjoy learning a bit about our team.

We will be happy to answer your queries. Once again a very big thank you for all your support.

With warm regards,

Deepti deepti@sevamandir.org

‘Gauri is a general nurse midwife who along with her team members runs 17 camps in a month in rural areas of Udaipur. Gauri lives with her husband and their 6-year-old fully immunized daughter. She pursued a career in nursing, starting with a three-year general nursing and midwifery (GNM) degree. Gauri has been working with Seva Mandir for five years and has seen the immunization camps in action.

One of the biggest improvements that she has seen is the addition of antenatal check-ups for pregnant women and the general health check-ups of the children receiving immunizations. In addition to immunizing children and pregnant women, Gauri checks the blood pressure, hemoglobin count and weight of women as they progress through their pregnancy. This allows her to catch early signs of complication—something important for ensuring the health of both mother and child. Gauri feels that the addition of these programs have added to the benefits of the camps, something she is proud of.

17 days out of the month, Gauri is in the field, at immunization camps in the rural areas around Udaipur and this is where she feels most comfortable. She likes the work that she does bringing change to the lives of so many children. When asked to pinpoint a specific example that has moved her during her time as a nurse, she comments, she is moved every time she gives a child a shot. That child, she knows, has a better chance to be health and happy because of it.

The training that Seva Mandir has provided for Gauri has improved both her skills as a nurse, as a counselor and her overall confidence.’

some good news...

Ms. Deepti Ameta — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:48:16 GMT

Dear Friend,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

Thank you for your continuing support to our programs. I am writing to share with you some good news. On 27th March 2009 Seva Mandir was awarded the first prize ‘The CSO partner’s Outstanding Annual Report Award 2009’ for our Annual Report 07-08 in the category of Large Organizations. The criterion to win the prize was to have transparent accounts, its disclosures in the report and its ability to communicate well (i.e. readable and understandable for readers).

Such awards and appreciation of our work is the result of many people’s contribution towards our work and mission. Therefore, your support and guidance is one of main attributes of this appreciation. You can find more details about this our website www.sevamandir.org and to view our annual report please visit the following link - http://www.sevamandir.org/publications.htm

Many thanks once again for all your support and love. I will be soon in touch with updates on programs you are supporting.

With warm regards,

Deepti

A Big Thank You...

Deepti Ameta — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:29:24 GMT

Dear Friend,

May the year 2009 bring hope, peace and prosperity to you and yours!

You have with your support helped Seva Mandir sustain its work to enable the poor by improving their health and educational status. We greatly appreciate your contribution and look forward to your continued passion to make the world a better place.

Your support helped us garner about US $9,000 in the Everybody Can Win Challenge for our Immunization Program (including bonus prize of US $2,500). This money will help us do more to save lives of young children and pregnant mothers we are planning to increase the reach of our program to include more villages. Which would mean reaching to more children and expecting mothers.

We will keep you posted on the developments with regular updates.

Thank you once again.

With warm regards,

Deepti Ameta,

In Charge Reporting and Communications.

deepti@sevamandir.org

Update for July month

Ms. Priyanka Singh — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:25:52 GMT

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir, India!

We are grateful to all our donors for continuing their faith in our work and for standing by us. Through this letter I would like to share the update for our Immunization Program, which you have been supporting.

Seva Mandir has been conducting immunization camps since April 2007. In the month of July 66 immunization camps were held against the targeted 68. We had to cancel two camps due to heavy rains that made these two villages inaccessible. 380 children were given immunization shots and 182 expecting mothers received Tetanus shots in these 66 camps.

From July 2008, we have also been training our nurses who conduct immunization to treat simple ailments in children and conduct full Antenatal check up. This has increased the benefits to both mothers and children, in many cases helped over major fatality as in the case given below.

Gavri who is in her mid twenties lives with her husband in village Bilwan Khetra. She got two tetanus shots in Seva Mandir run immunization camp during her fourth pregnancy. In her eighth month of pregnancy she began to experience lower abdominal pains. She consulted the TBA (the traditional birth attendant trained and supported by Seva Mandir) who brought her to the immunization camp where the nurse conducted the Antenatal check up. The Nurse could not hear the heartbeats of the baby and so referred Gavri immediately to a hospital where she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Our model of conducting immunization camps seeks to address both the supply side constraints by ensuring regular supply and also boosting demand through giving incentives to parents. By and large these camps are very successful in benefiting pregnant women and young children yet there are challenges with which we are still grappling. One such is inability to reach out to more children who have not been vaccinated.

Thank you again for your support. For queries and suggestions please do write to me at priyanka.singh@sevamandir.org

With regards,

Sincerely,

Priyanka Singh In Charge Health Program Seva Mandir, India

Camps and Challenges

Ms. Priyanka Singh — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:57:56 GMT

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

We would like to communicate our heartfelt thanks to all our donors for their continuing support and faith in our work. The immunization by the Government is not adequately reaching to all poor people. In addition, the awareness with regards to immunization for little children is negligible in the communities Seva Mandir works with. Hence holding regular immunization camps within people’s reach becomes imperative.

In the month of June 2008 a total of 68 immunization camps were held. As many as 541 children and 257 expecting mothers were registered for immunization

At this point I would also like to communicate the challenges that we face while running the immunization camps. One of the many challenges is – when the children are given BCG (for tuberculosis) the vaccine creates a boil on the skin and it also gives fever to the child for a few days. Often mothers are afraid of this and so they do not bring their children to the camp next time.

The Nurse in our camps informs the mothers about the boil, fever and the reason behind it. In addition, the nurse gives pills for fever with instructions to the mothers. Also, the Birth Attendants (Trained and supported by Seva Mandir) help in the process by spreading the awareness about immunization and by following up with the mothers whose children are given shots in order to ensure that everything is okay with them and that they bring their children to the camp for next shots. The birth attendants (are the residents of the same village) thus play a significant role in supporting the mothers in this whole process because the community has a lot of faith in them.

We have learnt a lot by theses camps and we hope to build upon our experiences over time.

I would like to thank once again to all our donors, partners and my team for making this program a huge success. Through this program we are reaching out to the least advantaged in our society. I very much hope that you will continue your supporting this program. Thank you.

If you have any questions then please do contact me at priyanka.singh@sevamandir.org

With regards,

Sincerely,

Priyanka Singh In Charge Health Program Seva Mandir, India

minor illnesses in little children

Ms. Priyanka Singh — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:38:24 GMT

During holding the immunization camps it was experienced that many little children suffer from various diseases like diarrhea, cold, cough etc. The General Nurse and Midwife (GNM) who are appointed to give vaccinations in Seva Mandir-run immunization camps are skilled caregivers. In order to refresh their skills and to strengthen their capacity for the treatment of diseases like Diarrhea, Bronchitis, Cough and Cold training was organized in March end for these GNMs.

In the last quarter (January to March 2008) over 1200 children and over 600 expecting mothers have been immunized.

Integrating maternal care and Immunization

Ms. Priyanka Singh — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:38:56 GMT

Birth Attendants in the villages have been trained by Seva Mandir to conduct safe and aseptic deliveries. In addition, these attendants also spread awareness about the importance of complete immunization in the village. Read the story to find out how they are of additional help to these expecting mothers and little children...

Attachments:

Jamna learns the importance of immunization... (PDF)

Complete Immunization of 1200 children

Ms. Priyanka Singh — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:33:19 GMT

In the last quarter from October to December 2007 we have been able to get over 1200 children completely immunized. Over 500 expecting mothers have also been immunized in over 600 immunization camps...

Sauli lives in village Badanga, Rajasthan in India:

Sauli lives with her husband Kamal Lal and two daughters in village Badanga. Kamal has migrated to Udaipur City (22 kms from his village) for wage-labor. Sauli stays at home to look after her daughters and works on her agriculture farm when needed.

Her elder daughter Pushpa is now three years old and Bharti is three months. In Seva Mandir-run Immunization Camps Bharti has received three shots so far. When the camp started Pushpa’s immunization was incomplete and so Pushpa was given rest of the shots at Seva Mandir-run Camps. Sauli is very happy to be able to get her daughters immunized because the Government health care facilities are quite far from her village.

Sauli says –“ I come to the Immunization Camps and all my other friends in the village also come to these camps for getting their children immunized. Earlier the Government Nurse used to come to our village. But she was very irregular and her visits were uncertain. I like Seva Mandir Camps. Because the camps are regular and are held close to our homes.”

Attachments:

sauli_bai_Village_Badanga.pdf (PDF)

Kamala is expecting...

Ms. Priyanka Singh — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:08:06 GMT

Kamala has witnessed her friend having convulsions. Her friend was not given the Tetanus shots when she was pregnant. The incident imprinted fear on Kamala's mind and so she wanted to stay safe. Kamal has got two shots for tetanus and she is happy....

Attachments:

Kamala is expecting (DOC)

Immunization is important

Ms. Priyanka Singh — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:09:56 GMT

Vardi would have to go to the city 35 kms away from her village to get her children immunized. And sometimes it did not take place due to no transporation or rains or so. The Government run Immunization camps are irregular in her village. It is now eaiser for her to get her children immunized in Seva Mandir run immunization camps.

Attachments:

Vardi getting her child immunized (PDF)

Immunization

Priyanka Singh — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:13:30 GMT

The two success stories from the villages where Seva Mandir works... Read these stories that will fill your heart with joy as it did ours...

Attachments: